Strange Company

By: Jean Ryan

Narrated by: Nikiya Palombi

In Strange Company, a delightful collection of short essays, Jean Ryan brings us closer to the natural world. From lizards to lady bugs, from the inscrutable sloth to the resplendent quetzal, Ryan reveals some of our commonalities with earth's creatures and hints at the lessons we might learn from them.

Do lizards fall in love? What do sloths think about all day? Why is the blood of a horseshoe crab so valuable? Do starlings flock for fun? Can a parrot serve as a therapist? Do turtles ever grow bored with their long lives? Why would a crow foster a kitten? Can snails be fearless?

These are just a few of the questions Ryan poses in Strange Company as she invites the listener on a wild journey through land, sea and sky. While these essays acknowledge our responsibility to Mother Nature, the insights they offer are affirmative and heartening. With her precise, elegant prose, Ryan draws us into the tantalizing world of animals and their oddities.

©2017 Jean Ryan (P)2017 MadeMark Publishing

Amazing and inspiring

Incredible stories of the wonders of nature. Jean Ryan's insights are inspiring and beautifully expressed. Nikiya Palombi's narration was clear and expressive. I really enjoyed hearing this book.

Reflections of Wonderful and Amazing Animals

What made the experience of listening to Strange Company the most enjoyable?

I wasn't sure what to expect... Is it about cute animals bonding like on Animal Planet?There IS some of that. But it's much more. It is deeper, why animal behavior reflects meaning to so many. It does so without projecting traits identified as "human" onto the different species. I got a lot of information that I didn't know.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the animals were portrayed positively. I can't suggest any favorite.

Which character – as performed by Nikiya Palombi – was your favorite?

I was hesitant with Niklya's narration... only for about the first minute! The essays flowed, and she became an intricate part of my enjoyment of this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It isn't a long book and the pace flows from subject to subject very well. I will be relistening soon. It's that interesting and well read

Any additional comments?

I listen to a lot of audio books and every once in awhile.one really grabs me. This is one of that kind. Not in my usual range of listening material. Very good though!This copy was provided at no charge by Mark McNease, one of favorite authors. I'm happy to provide an honest review. Voluntarily, I think I'm suppose to disclose.

No Animals were harmed in the writing or narration of this work!!!! LOL

Interesting tales of nature and history

Strange company appeared to be and initially introduced itself as a romp through tales of animal companions of disparate natures. It quickly devolved into random yet interesting tales of various animals, historical caves etc. I thoroughly enjoyed it though I give the 4 stars as it was not the tale I expected from the title, the cover or from the introduction. Had it been the tale portrayed or has the portrayal been presented differently then I would have provided 5 stars. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Amazing

Wow what a truly amazing world we live in. This book tells of unique creatures that live around us. The narrator does a wonderful job of relaying this story. I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding I would leave an honest review.

Strange Company was a Fantastic Listen

Strange Company was such an amazing listen. I enjoyed it thoroughly only it was so good that it went by too fast. I love ALL creatures and found this audiobook full of tidbits I didn't know. The short-lived mayfly was interesting. I learned a lot about the quetzal while in a sketch group and sketching one but sadly their population is diminishing. Facts about the thylacine or Tasmainian tiger to the jellyfish, the salamander, and the praying mantis were simply amazing.

I enjoyed the part about the Lascaux cave paintings as well. I would love to see them. This was an overall wonderful book written by Jean Ryan and I would definitely recommend checking this one out.

The narration by Nikiya Palombi was excellent. She did such a great job. She had perfect voice inflections and clearly portayed the author's enthusiasm for nature.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Re-kindle your love for nature

Jean offers a look into some of the many interesting and unique behaviors and life-cycles to be found in the animal kingdom.

Each section is short and captivating and there are many links back to humans and how we live our lives. Examples come from land, sky and sea and from many categories of animals and insects.

Worth listening to several times, I just wish it was longer I wasn't read for it to be over.

Nikiya does a great job of showing Jean's obvious enthusiasm for the natural world, drawing you in even further.

Note: This book was provided free by the author/narrator/publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

A delightful little book 🐒

This book was informative and entertaining.
I learned so much about the awesome creatures that inhabit our world.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
I recommend this book for anyone who has a love for the lil critters 🐞

Fascinating and Beautiful

This is a really interesting, inspiring, and informative documentary book, beautifully brought to life by Nikiya Palombi. If you are interested in the animal kingdom and in human nature, you will love this!